THERE’S SOMETHING UNDENIABLY cute about Kia’s smallest model, and making it even more appealing, it’s one of just two cars available on the Australian market for under $20,000 (the other is the MG3 base model).
Complete with a new look, enhanced technology, and an upgraded safety suite, the new Kia Picanto has arrived to set a new standard for the modern micro city car.
Kia Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith said, “The latest iteration of Picanto integrates features and styling that bring the baseline of the Kia range in line with our newest models, while still delivering the outstanding value that Picanto has come to be known for”.
“Along with the updated product range, Picanto demonstrates Kia’s ongoing commitment to our customer base in providing a car to suit every lifestyle and stage of life”.
New Picanto is available in two trimlines, Sport and GT-Line, both powered by the existing 1.2 litre MPI petrol engine and mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic transmission, producing 62kW of power and 122 Nm of torque.
Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy been incorporated into new Picanto, lending itself to a modern and sporty design highlighted by a new headlight graphic, expanded radiator grille, and redesigned front bumper. The rear design has been slightly tweaked, with adjustments made to the rear tail lamps and bumper for a sportier appearance.
On GT-Line variants, further exterior modifications have been made. The front and rear lighting have been transformed to the new ‘signature’ lighting design, creating the illusion of a wider appearance.
New wheel designs have been applied to both trims, with 14-inch alloy wheels for Sport and 16-inch machine-finished diamond cut alloy wheels for GT-Line.
Premium artificial leather now features as a standard material across the steering wheel and shift knob (manual and automatic) of both trims. Additionally, GT-Line variants gain a D-cut sports steering wheel.
Analogue gauges have been replaced in favour of a 4.2-inch digital cluster across both trims, creating harmony with the existing 8-inch floating touchscreen infotainment display.
Passengers in GT-Line variants also benefit from added convenience with the addition of rear USB Type-C charging ports.
Further reinforcing Picanto’s suitability for young drivers (and, we remind Kia, older drivers as well!), it is equipped with a range of Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard across both trims, including Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist; Rear (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Follow Assist (LFA), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA).
Electric and folding side mirrors with integrated indicators are newly standard across both trims, with heating function carried across with GT-Line variants.
Picanto is offered in a choice of seven exterior paint finishes, with one (Adventurous Green) being new to the Kia colour palette (premium paint costs extra, but Kia hasn’t told us how much).
As with all Kia models, new Picanto continues to include Kia’s 7-Year Warranty, 7-Year Capped Price Servicing, and 7-Year Roadside Assist programs.
Pricing (all plus on road costs)
| Trim | Transmission | |
| Sport | Manual | $17,890 |
| Automatic | $19,490 | |
| GT-Line | Manual | $19,690 |
| Automatic | $21,290 |